had to withdraw from Ablak without accomplishing his object. The Arab proverb, "Faithful as Samuel," used to express undying faith, originated from this circumstance. Many blamed him for the sacrifice of his son; but he defended himself in a poem, full of noble sentiments, courage and chivalrous ideas:-- Oh, ye censurers, cease to blame the man Who so oft has defied your censure. You should, when erring, have guided me aright, Instead of leading me astray with empty words. I have preserved the Kendite coats of mail; Another may betray the trust confided him! Thus did Adiya, my father, counsel me in by-gone days: "O Samuel, destroy not what I have built up!" For me he built a strong and safe place, where I ne'er feared to give defiance to my oppressor. Before his death (about 560) Samuel could look back with pride on his chivalrous life and on the protection he had afforded the weak. His swan-song runs:-- Oh, would that I knew, the day my loss is lamented, What testimony my mourners would afford me; Whether they will say "Stay with us! For In many a trouble you have comforted us; The rights you had you ne'er resigned, Yet needed no reminder to give theirs to others." Shoraich, his son, followed in his father's footsteps. He was a brave and noble man. On one occasion Maimun Asha, the celebrated Arabic poet, whose ungovernable temper raised many enemies against him, was pursued by an adversary, and having been captured, he was, by chance and without being recognized, taken with other prisoners to Taima, the castle of Shoraich. Here, in order to obtain his release, he sang a poem in praise of Samuel:-- Be like Samuel, when the fierce warrior Pressed heavily around him with his array; "Choose between the loss of a child and faithlessness!" Oh, evil choice which thou hadst to make! But quickly and calmly did he reply: "Kill thy captive, I fulfil my pledges." Towards the end of the sixth century, the Jews of Yathrib had nearly recovered from the oppressive blows dealt them by their neighbors in Arabia. Their rulers, the Aus and Chazraj, had exhausted themselves in bloody feuds which lasted twenty years, whilst their allies suffered less. In consequence of another war between the same tribes, the Jews again rose to importance in Yathrib.